The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-15
FREE SPEECH in LONDON
THE TRAFALGAR SQUARE ISSUE
TO BE TESTED.

Home Secretary Mathews Holds that
Public Acts in the Square are Only
Allowed on Sufferance of the Queen
Gladstone Urges the People to
Wait Quietly.
LONDON, Nov. 14.-Seventy five men, who
were arrested for taking part in the dis
turbance here yesterday, were arraigned in
the Bow Street Police Court this morning.
charged with rioting. Many were fined,
while others were sentenced to from four to
six months imprisonment at hard labor.
In an interview Saturday evening Mr..
Mathews, Home Secretary, told Mr. Graham
that the government would not permit tho
proposed meeting in Trafalgar square. He
said he believed the executive was acting
within its strict legal rights and that public
acts were only allowed in the square on suf-
ferance by the Queen. He further stated
that he wished the question to be tried
legally by the courts. Mr. Graham replied
that he regretted the governments decision,
because the meeting would certainly
be held, and grave responsibility would
rest with, the government. 1t is
stated that Mrs. Annie Besant, who was
with one of the sections desiring 10 enter
Trafalgar square yesterday, made an earnest
request to be arrested with Messrs. Burns
and Graham. The Times this morning ex-
pressed a hope that the rioters in custody,
especially the ringleaders. would receive
exemplary punishment. Behind these" it
continues, stand the greater criminals who
IN the press and otherwise labor TO convert
the English Sunday into a carnival of blood
for which the despicable brood ought to be
shot"
GLADSTONE ON THE TROUBLE.
MIR. Gladstone, replying to the Secretary
Of the London Radical Club, wrote as fol-
lows, to-day: II think YOU will expect me
to meet your request by an explicit answer
expressing the best Judgment, which, while
absent from the spot, | am able to form on
the deplorable disturbances Of yesterday
AS | understand the matter
the Home Secretary stated on
Saturday, for the information of
the public that he intended to prevent yes
terdays meeting in Trafalgar square and
believed that its prevention was within
his legal power. The question is ono of
great moment to the inhabitants of London,
particularly to those who are at present
unemployed and in circumstances of distress
1t will be generally felt that the state of
the law in regard to it ought to be promptly
tested and ascertained Until a decision
can be had it is the duty of every citizen to
refrain from all resistance TO the decision of
the executive government, which is clearly
entitled TO administer the laws according to
what it may be advised is their true con-
struction. Such abstinence is, think, due
alike to the high character of London for
the maintenance Of public order and 10 the
respect we owe the law and mode in
which it is usually applied thorough
the medium of the admirable police of the
metropolis. But ] must add that the appeal
to Parliament and the nation on the grave
and solemn issue now raised by the proceed
ings Of the government in ireland, would
suffer disastrous prejudice were it TO be
associated in any manner by those who
make the appeal with metropolitan disturb
ances." There is little doubt that Mr.. Glad
stones advice will be followed.
In a letter written before yesterdays dis
turbance MIR. Gladstone said; II am un-
able to pronounce upon the law of the ques-
ton Ii it is on Sir Charles Warrens side
and am bound TO assume that he has ex-
amined iu should be slow TO question the
exercise of his discretion